Podcast with David Bentley.
Privatizing Midway – implications?
By IAG | February 19th, 2008 | Posted in airport, podcast, privatization | No CommentsScandinavian Airlines’ passengers to check in using mobile phones
By IAG | March 20th, 2007 | Posted in airport, sas, technology | No Comments
Airlines continue their quest to automate steps and reduce their cost of business. Automation not only cuts costs, it can also provide an airline with better opportunities to avoid customer irritation. Here is a clever example of how automation can improve the process of getting from the airport to the plane in a much more efficient manner. Imagine what saving customers 5 minutes amounts to per year. Now figure out the savings to the airline of the same amount of time. It adds up fast.
From June 2007, SAS customers will have access to a check-in notification service via e-mail and text message. 22 hours before a flight is due to depart, passengers will automatically be notified via text or e-mail that they can check-in for their flight. Passengers will be able to register for this check-in notification service at booking tickets. Check-in via mobile phone with just one click with an itinerary sent to them via text. Passengers opting to receive check in notification via email will no longer need to login or input their booking details but will be able to access the seat plan for their flight with a single click. SAS customers are also given access to flight details by using the SAS mobile portal and able to check flight times, destination weather forecasts and download city guides on SAS’ destinations worldwide. SAS investing in technology which will enable customers to receive a digital boarding pass direct to their mobile phones, allowing them to use their phones to “swipe” through the airport.
Now this is great thinking. Can this work in the US? After all, we have to deal with TSA.
Scandinavian Airlines’ passengers to check in using mobile phones
By IAG | March 20th, 2007 | Posted in airport, sas, technology | No CommentsAirlines continue their quest to automate steps and reduce their cost of business. Automation not only cuts costs, it can also provide an airline with better opportunities to avoid customer irritation. Here is a clever example of how automation can improve the process of getting from the airport to the plane in a much more efficient manner. Imagine what saving customers 5 minutes amounts to per year. Now figure out the savings to the airline of the same amount of time. It adds up fast.
From June 2007, SAS customers will have access to a check-in notification service via e-mail and text message. 22 hours before a flight is due to depart, passengers will automatically be notified via text or e-mail that they can check-in for their flight. Passengers will be able to register for this check-in notification service at booking tickets. Check-in via mobile phone with just one click with an itinerary sent to them via text. Passengers opting to receive check in notification via email will no longer need to login or input their booking details but will be able to access the seat plan for their flight with a single click. SAS customers are also given access to flight details by using the SAS mobile portal and able to check flight times, destination weather forecasts and download city guides on SAS’ destinations worldwide. SAS investing in technology which will enable customers to receive a digital boarding pass direct to their mobile phones, allowing them to use their phones to “swipe” through the airport.
Now this is great thinking. Can this work in the US? After all, we have to deal with TSA.
Airport signs
By IAG | March 8th, 2007 | Posted in airport | No Comments
Making signs for airports is no easy job. You have to be real creative – using pictures to convey the message to people of multiple languages. But then every now and then a get something like this.
Airport signs
By IAG | March 8th, 2007 | Posted in airport | No Comments
Making signs for airports is no easy job. You have to be real creative – using pictures to convey the message to people of multiple languages. But then every now and then a get something like this.
Three must have travel tools
By IAG | February 5th, 2007 | Posted in airlines, airport, aviation, technology, travel | No CommentsAs a blog devoted to the sweet spot at the nexus of travel and technology, we get to talk with fascinating people about fascinating ideas. From these conversations sometimes there is a moment of serendipity. Today we had such a moment.
It occurs to us that there are three tools that every traveler should have. Using these tools, in our opinion, makes travel much less bothersome – indeed these three tools make dealing with the inevitable delays and frustrations much easier.
- Farecompare.com – First you buy a ticket. But where to find an objective source? Try this site because they don't sell tickets. They can tell you about airfares better than just about anyone. With useful charts to give you perspective, you can make an informed decision. Regular readers know how useful the folks are at Farecompare with their updates on this site when fares go up and down. We recommend you start there.
- Flightstats.com – Next, once you made your reservation, you want to ensure you know where you are every step of the way. This site is the best to keep you informed. Their data shows that 23% of flights in the US run late – more than one of your next five will be late. This means mis- connections and frustrations for everyone – from the traveler to the people you plan to meet. This site offers tools that track flights and have better (yes really better) data than anyone. How much better? How about a major airport uses their data for its public displays because Flightstats tracks flights better than the airlines operating out of said airport? They have a bunch of tools you can down load on to your cell phone and desktop or laptop. Go there, do it now, before you do your next trip.
- Jott.com – OK, so you bought the ticket at the best price and you have yourself all set with tracking. Now you're running and things happen. They always don't they? Because you signed up at Jott every time something comes to mind that you can't write down you call Jott's 800 number and simply speak your message. Any message. Their system transcribes this into a message that is sent as an email to the person you want notified – even yourself if you want a reminder. Imagine that!
OK so now you know what you have to do in the next 30 minutes. Hook up with these sites and create accounts. These systems are FREE. Yes, how cool is that? We can't guarantee your next trip will be hassle free. But with these tools we bet the hassles will be MUCH easier to handle. Who says you can't travel armed?
Three must have travel tools
By IAG | February 5th, 2007 | Posted in airlines, airport, aviation, technology, travel | No CommentsAs a blog devoted to the sweet spot at the nexus of travel and technology, we get to talk with fascinating people about fascinating ideas. From these conversations sometimes there is a moment of serendipity. Today we had such a moment.
It occurs to us that there are three tools that every traveler should have. Using these tools, in our opinion, makes travel much less bothersome – indeed these three tools make dealing with the inevitable delays and frustrations much easier.
- Farecompare.com – First you buy a ticket. But where to find an objective source? Try this site because they don't sell tickets. They can tell you about airfares better than just about anyone. With useful charts to give you perspective, you can make an informed decision. Regular readers know how useful the folks are at Farecompare with their updates on this site when fares go up and down. We recommend you start there.
- Flightstats.com – Next, once you made your reservation, you want to ensure you know where you are every step of the way. This site is the best to keep you informed. Their data shows that 23% of flights in the US run late – more than one of your next five will be late. This means mis- connections and frustrations for everyone – from the traveler to the people you plan to meet. This site offers tools that track flights and have better (yes really better) data than anyone. How much better? How about a major airport uses their data for its public displays because Flightstats tracks flights better than the airlines operating out of said airport? They have a bunch of tools you can down load on to your cell phone and desktop or laptop. Go there, do it now, before you do your next trip.
- Jott.com – OK, so you bought the ticket at the best price and you have yourself all set with tracking. Now you're running and things happen. They always don't they? Because you signed up at Jott every time something comes to mind that you can't write down you call Jott's 800 number and simply speak your message. Any message. Their system transcribes this into a message that is sent as an email to the person you want notified – even yourself if you want a reminder. Imagine that!
OK so now you know what you have to do in the next 30 minutes. Hook up with these sites and create accounts. These systems are FREE. Yes, how cool is that? We can't guarantee your next trip will be hassle free. But with these tools we bet the hassles will be MUCH easier to handle. Who says you can't travel armed?
Bangkok's new airport falling apart
By IAG | January 29th, 2007 | Posted in airport, aviation, bangkok, thailand | No CommentsThailand's government Monday ordered Bangkok's old airport to reopen after a series of infrastructural and management problems that have plagued the capital's new gateway, Suvarnabhumi Airport. After a crisis meeting on Monday, Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen made the decision that will see the old airport revert to its role of handling all domestic commercial flights.
This will mean that once again millions of tourists will arrive at the new international airport, but then be bussed to the old airport for flights to Thailand's popular vacation spots such as Phuket and Kho Samui. This plan adds at least two or more to the journey because the two airports are located about 32km apart.
The decision was taken to ease the burden on Suvarnabhumi, which is in urgent need of repairs to its runways, taxiways, and terminal buildings four months after its opening in September. Before the dirt was moved 15 years ago, there were warnings about building on dangerous swampland. Well documented and embarrassing management and infrastructural problems are being blamed on poor and rushed planning and corruption.
The new airport already has about 100 cracks in 25 of its taxiways and one of its two runways. Taxiway cracks closed 11 of the airport's 50 air bridges. Passengers must take buses to the terminal.
Bangkok's new airport falling apart
By IAG | January 29th, 2007 | Posted in airport, aviation, bangkok, thailand | No CommentsThailand's government Monday ordered Bangkok's old airport to reopen after a series of infrastructural and management problems that have plagued the capital's new gateway, Suvarnabhumi Airport. After a crisis meeting on Monday, Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen made the decision that will see the old airport revert to its role of handling all domestic commercial flights.
This will mean that once again millions of tourists will arrive at the new international airport, but then be bussed to the old airport for flights to Thailand's popular vacation spots such as Phuket and Kho Samui. This plan adds at least two or more to the journey because the two airports are located about 32km apart.
The decision was taken to ease the burden on Suvarnabhumi, which is in urgent need of repairs to its runways, taxiways, and terminal buildings four months after its opening in September. Before the dirt was moved 15 years ago, there were warnings about building on dangerous swampland. Well documented and embarrassing management and infrastructural problems are being blamed on poor and rushed planning and corruption.
The new airport already has about 100 cracks in 25 of its taxiways and one of its two runways. Taxiway cracks closed 11 of the airport's 50 air bridges. Passengers must take buses to the terminal.
